Comments on: That’s too much information!

By: Robin Dickinson

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:02:19 +0000

Thanks, Jim. It’s so easy to miss those things. This is a sobering reminder to me to be doubly careful with all information on and offline.

Cheers, Robin

By: Drew Griffin

Drew Griffin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:57:29 +0000

Never really thought of it that way. That is really good insight, thanks.

By: Toma - Optimizing The Web

Toma - Optimizing The Web — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:55:14 +0000

Hi Jim,

That is why I never use conventional questions for my accounts. It’s a good thing that you mentioned this because there are so many people out there that just don;t know how to protect their accounts.

Thanks

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:42:01 +0000

Hi Joel,

Agree that third-parties need to be more pro-active at securing our information, but at the end of the day, true liability falls with us. You wouldn’t give a complete stranger on the street this information – why should it be any different online?

By: Jim Connolly

Jim Connolly — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:18:24 +0000

Hi Michelle – Thanks for stopping by the blog. The questions asked by default by some providers are way too simple. As was commented here earlier, this is going to become a bigger issue in the coming years, as we put more and more of our lives online.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:51:39 +0000

You are totally right Jim, I am asked many times ‘mothers maiden name’ sometimes you have the option to change it to another standard question like ‘Your first pet’ but it all boils down to the same thing, watch what you say. I blogged about this too, with a different reason but same answer- too much information!

By: Jim Connolly

Jim Connolly — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:27:54 +0000

I think it’s wise to keep your actual home address out of the public domain if at all possible Joni.

There’s certainly been cases, where people have had their homes robbed after posting to Twitter / FB about how their home will be left vacant.

By: Jim Connolly

Jim Connolly — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:25:44 +0000

Good tip Debbie! Thanks for sharing.

By: Joni Mueller

Joni Mueller — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:21:26 +0000

I think that was mighty nice of you to warn her. I’ve often wrestled with how much information to give and with the advent of Twitter and Facebook, should I really broadcast the fact that I’m going to be on vacation and out of the city for the next two weeks? This topic is only going to become more relevant as we move forward with these social tools.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:07:55 +0000

I generally don’t use real information of that nature online. So my birthday, while it will always be on the same day so as not to confuse me, will not be on my real birthday except where absolutely necessary. Ditto for my mother’s maiden name.

Debbie